GRAND RAPIDS, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – On one of the busiest days of the year at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA), airport volunteers including therapy dog teams, and the Patriot Guard Riders will participate in “Operation Handshake”
“Operation Handshake,” an event to welcome home returning military members and veterans, and to thank them for their service. Volunteers will staff both airport concourses from 9:00 -7:00 p.m., and airport staff will be passing out treats and trinkets to thank passengers for utilizing the airport during the busy time of year says Marketing & Communications Director Tara Hernandez.
“They really just stand in our airport and welcome home military. Alot of them are former military. A lot of them didn’t have the same reception when they came home from war, so they really came out and started doing this in our airport and we said, you know we need to give them our own space which we have with the Military Welcome Center.” Those kinds of moments are my favorite part of the airport. I mean you talk about military reunions, that’s a quick way to get in tears.”
If someone in you family will be returning home from the military, you’re asked to contact the Patriot Guard Riders of West Michigan so that they can greet them at the airport during the holiday season. Information can be sent to michigan@patriotguard.org or Tony VanGessel at 616-862-1984
